Scale



Aug. 2l, 1945.. I D. A. MEEKER ETAL S GALE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. l5, 1941 n Aug 21, 1945- D. A. MEEKER ETAL I 2,383,404

SCALE original Filed oct. 15, 1941 2 sneetssneer 2 Patented Ang. 21, 1945 SCALE David A. Meeker, Troy, and Kenneth'C. Allen,

Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Hobart Manufacturing Company, Troy, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application October 15, 1941, Serial No. 415,108. Divided and this application June 29, 1942. Serial No. 448,965

.6 Claims. (Cl. 265-451) 'I'his invention relates to scales. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a fan-type scale which is simple and inas between the clerk and the customer.

It is a further object to provide such a scale which weighs quickly andl accurately under widely varying room temperature conditions.`

It is a further object to provide such a scale in which the scale is assembled upon the base and sealed, following which a unitary outer housing is positioned over the scale mechanism entirely enclosing the same and preventing any access to the interior thereof.

It is a still further object to provide a fluid dashpot for use in such a scale, the dashpot being compensated in predetermined manner corresponding to the temperature characteristics of the fluid used so that the action of the dashpot in the damping of the oscillations of the scale is substantially uniform under widely varying room temperature conditions.

It is a still further object to provide such a scale construction in which the platter support is located laterally of the scale mechanism and in such position that the platter may overhang the fan chart, to produce a compact arrangement and one affording a minimum of obstruction of vision.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from -the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a viewin perspective of a scale constructed in accordance with thisr invention as seen from the clerks side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view with certain parts being broken away showing the arrangement of the housing and ofthe interior mechanism of the scale, and with a different type of platter;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the scale with the housing and the platter removed therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a broken detailed view showing the manner in which the housing is assembled to provide a unitary structure.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale through the dashpot mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6 8 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is an elevational view on a furtherfenlarged scale showing the dashpot valve and the shape and contour of the opening provided therein.

This application is a division of parent Patent No. 2,347,803, issued May 2, 1944, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

In the present invention a fan-type scale is provided which is simple and compact and which makes use of only a minimum of valuable counter space. While not limited in its application, it is adapted for use as a candy scale, and as such it is desirable that it be small in size, and that it afford a minimum of visual obstruction across the counter.

In the present invention an inverted fan chart is provided together with a cooperating index pointer the center of the pointer being located above and substantially centrally of the main body of the chart. The platter support is lo cated laterally of the chart at a relatively low .position and with the platter, in case the customary scoop is utilized, standing in such position that it in part overlies the adjacent side of the chart, but with the body of the platter being located preferably within the vertical limits of the fan chart. Such arrangement affords a compact construction, being economical of counter space and introducing a minimum obstruction at' suchl an elevation as to interfere with the vision between the clerk and the customer.

The scale structure is completely assembled on a base and is adjusted and sealed in that condition, such adjustment at the factory including the setting of the dashpot to afford the proper degree of resistance to damp out the oscillations of the scale. Thereafter a decorative housing is telescoped over the scale mechanism and fastened in close fitting relation upon the base. With such housing in place, all access to the scale mechanism is prevented, and it thus becomes impossible to make any change in the proper Weighing characteristics of the scale without again removing the housing therefrom, and for this reason accidental or intentional errors in weight are effectively eliminated.

With such enclosed construction, itis found that changes in the ambient temperature conditions greatly affect the operation of the dashpot. The fluid utilized is usually of an oil nature and is one which does not readily volatilize. While the viscosity characteristics of some fluids vary more widely with temperature changes than others, it has been found that even with the best fluids obtainab1e, i. e., those having the flattest viscosity-temperature curves, there is still a very substantial change in the viscosity characteristics over the range of temperature conditions to which the scale may be subjected. For examplaln some cases a store room not heated at night may drop to a temperature as low as 40 F., and on the other hand, in certain areas the summer temperature may rise as high as 110 to 120 F. Under this range of room temperatures the scale will not function to give the desired operating characteristics unless proper formed as an integral casting with a laterally and upwardly extending arm portion 2l. Likewise a shot' cupi! may be formed integrally to receive the shot which are used w balance the scale.

The upwardly extending arm 2l is provided with a pair of spaced parallel webs Il which' are bored to receive a cross pin 8i which provides a connection for the da'shpot, indicated generally atti. Arm 2l extends upwardly and at its upper end is pivotally connected to a check link Il which maintains parallel movement of the platter support in a vertical plane throughout the movement of the lever.

change can at best be but an approximatiomand cannot provide an accurate control of the operating Icharacteristics to maintain uniform conditions.

The present invention therefore provides a compensating valve in the dashpot construction, such valve having both a linear and a non-linear temperature compensating characteristic. Th'at is to say, the valve aperture is predetermined with reference to the variation in the viscosity characteristics of the fluid used, so that the aperture is increased at a relatively slow and substantially uniform rate as the temperature drops from the high range to the intermediate range. And as the temperature drops further toward the cold end of the range, the aperture is enlarged at a. progressively increasing rate. Th'e combined result attained by such arrangement is to make the operation of the dash pot substantially uniform over the entire range, and thus a completely enclosed scale equipped with such a dash'pot will weigh both accurately and quickly at substantially any point within themrange of temperatures from the lowest to the highest conditions normally encountered for room temperature.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, the scale mechanism is entirely supported upon a main base frame I0 which is preferably formed as an integral cast piece suitably webbed as shown at i l to afford the proper strength while reducing the weight thereof. The base is supported by feet i2, two such feet being fixed and the third being threaded into the base to provide for supporting and adjusting the base to a level condition above its support. Fulcrum supports I5 are likewise preferably formed integrally with the'base casting and are located in relatively widely spaced relation as shown. They form supports for V bearings which in turn support knife edge pivots i6 carried by the lever l1 which is of the ilrst order. Bearing caps I8 are provided as usual t0 avoid the lifting -of the pivots from the bearing supports and to take the side thrust of pivots thus centering the lever in the scale.

Lever i1 is integrally joined at one end as shown at i9, and on the opposite of pivots IB extends laterally to form a portion of reduced width terminating in the integrally formed weighted cup 2 l. As shown, the section 20 of the lever and cup 2i is of substantially less width than the portion i9 of lever i1, thereby providing a relatively narlrow construction in the chart portion of the sca e.

A platter support is pivotally supported on lever Il by means of bearing 26 and knife edge 21 carried by the lever, the platter support being The platter 35 maybe in the form of a fiat plate as shown in Fig. 1, adapted to be received within a non-circular opening in the platter support, or may comprise a three point bracket for supporting the customary scoop as shown in Fig. 3.

To support the indicating and weighting mechanism a bracket 40 is fastened at its lower end to the base casting I0 and is recessed as shown at 4| to receive the forwardly projecting end of the counterweight 1I, th'e -bracket being preferably webbed to aiord a maximum strength with the least weight of material. The bracket extends upwardly and is then formed with an oilset portion Il to -provide a. recess or space M within which to receive a pendulum weight. The bracket continues upwardly with an overhangins portion ll. to which the check link ll is suitably connected by a pivotal connection, through a. vertically ad- .instable pivot support.

The bracket likewise forms a support for cross shaft IB, to which is eccentrically attached a constant radius sector 41 provided with a ilexible tape Il extending down to a stirrup Il having bearing engagement with a conical shaped member Il carried by counterweighted end or the lever. A pendulum 52 is likewise mounted on cross shaft It, and the weight orf counterweight 2l is such that it normally balances the weight of the pendulum and retains the pendulum in its upper position. As weight is applied to the platter, the enect .of the counterweight is partially overcome, and

as it rises, the pendulum descends, the pendulum thus descending with increase of weight on the platter, Suitable bumpers Il of rubber or like material are provided for arresting the movement of the pendulum at either end of its swing.

Shaft Il likewise carries a pointer or index arm ,l

l5 which is thus rotated about the axis of shaft Il. Fan chart 5l is located below the axis of shaft 4I, and substantially symmetrically with respect thereto, being thus generally in inverted position. Preferably a pair of index pointers are mounted on shaft 4l, one having an index line and being adapted to cooperate with the computing fan chart at the clerks side of the scale mechanism, and the other comprising merely a pointer cooperating with a weight designation chart on the customers side of the scale. Thus movements of the pendulum and counterweight in response to the load on the platter result in corresponding movements of the two pointers over the respective charts.

The dashpot Il comprises a cylinder Il suitably welded to a supporting bracket Il and inserted upwardly through an aperture in the base frame i0, and bolted in place thereon by bolts Il. The upper end of cylinder Il is closed by a cap Il threaded thereinto and in turn having internal threads to receive the valve stem in the inoperative condition of the scale, such as when it is being shipped or the like.

The valve assembly comprises a central stem 81 formed with a pin 88 at its upper end to which is attached a connecting hub 88 provided with an aperture thereto for being received over pin 3|. Thus when the scale is assembled, the hub 89 is attached to the arm 28 in such manner as to cause raising and lowering of the stem in response to the movements of the platter support.

The lower part of the stem is bored as shown at with a deep axial bore, and an aperture 1| is formed radially through the stem to communicate with the bore 1|) toward the upper end thereoi'. Likewise a portion of the stem is cut out as indicated at 12, in communication with the bore 10 adjacent the lower-end thereof, thereby providing a passage of relative large size for the iiow of uid.

A sleeve 14 is received over the stem 81 and an adjusting nut 15 is fastened to the upper end of the sleeve, in such position that the sleeve is held against axial movement upon the stem but not against angular movement with respect thereto. The nut 15 has a threaded portion 18 adapted to be received within the internally threaded portion 88 for closing and sealing the dashpot during shipment. Also a compression spring and washer assembly 11 is provided between the hub 69 and nut 15 to yieldingly retain the nut against accidental movement in any position of relative angular adjustment between the two. Radially extending pin 18 carried by stem 61 cooperates with a cut-away portion of the sleeve to limit the extent of relative movement of such parts, such cut-away portion being large enough to allow free passage of the fluid through aperture 10 in all positions of the sleeve.

Sleeve 14 likewise carries a plunger 80 which closely approaches the wall cylinder 60 and thus substantially prevents ow of iluid from one side of the plunger around to the other. A spirally coiled bimetallic element 8| is carried below plunger 80, the inner end of such spring being fastened to a separate sleeve member 82 received over stem 81. Bolt 83 threaded into the end of the bore 10 provides for retaining sleeve 82 in place, while permitting removal thereof for the purpose of adjustment, cleaning, or the like. The outer end of spring 8| is formed with a projecting pin 84 which is adapted to be received in one of a series of apertures 85 formed in the lower side of plunger 80, making it possible to adjust the initial position of the bimetallic element to any one of the angular positions established by the cooperation of pin 84 and apertures 85.

Sleeve 82 is formed with a slot 86 which is adapted to be brought into register, to greater or lesser degree, with opening 12 to afford a fluid by-pass from one side of the plunger to the other. The width of the slot at one end is relatively small as indicated at 88, and the slot in this area is of substantially uniform cross-section. Thus as the temperature falls from the higher temperature range in which the scale is adapted to operate, more of the opening is uncovered, and the total integrated opening increases substantially linearly up to the intermediate temperaturerange.

Continuous with portion 86 of the slot is another portion 81 which is of progressively increasing width. This corresponds to the low end of the temperature range and provides an integrated opening which is non-linear in relation to temperature, so that the normally encountered rapid increase in the viscosity of the uid is compensated for, and the resistance to the ow of the fluid made substantially uniform throughout the temperature range.

If it is desired to change the extent of the damping, that can be effected by shifting the nut 15 with respect to the hub 88, within the limits permitted by stud 18, such .change effecting a relative shifting as between the temperature controlled sleeve 82. and the corresponding opening 12 in the stem thus shifting the extent of the slot f sealed, adjusted and inspected 88 which is uncovered at any given temperature. If a change beyond the range afforded by this adjustment is desired, the bolt 88 can be removed and the end of spring 84 positioned in a different aperture 85, thus similarly changing the relation between the slot opening and the temperature.

The scale is preferably completely assembled, without the outer housing being in place. This includes the proper adjustment for the dashpot, at the ambient temperature existing at that time. Thereafter a decorative and enclosing housing 90 is received in telescoping relation over` the scale mechanism, such housing being preferably formed of a pair of stamped metal sections 9| with an outer and centrally located trim strip in place by means of integrally formed ears 93 extending through the slot between the two housing sections and turned back into overlapping relation thereagainst. The housing sections themselves are fastened together by means of 'cross strips 94 Welded to each section and suitably spaced as required to afford a satisfactory and solid structure. Brackets 95 are welded in place adjacent the lower edge of the housing and are adapted to receive bolts 96 extending upwardly through the base to thus retain the housing in its assembled position upon the scale. The housing i as shown is preferably formed to closely overlie part overlapping the'narrow the scale mechanism and present a smooth, attractive and easily cleanable outer` surface. As will be obvious, suitable apertures are provided in the housing for receiving the platter support and the level indicated at 91. In the normal use of the scale it is not necessary at any time to secure access to the interior and it may thus remain in closed and sealed condition affording quick and accurate readings without the need of securing access to .the scale mechanism or of adjusting the dashpot and hence the possibility of disturbing the accuracy of weighing. and of dirt or foreign materal getting into the mechanism are avoided.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein. without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A computing scale of the character described comprising a base, a weighted lever mounted on said base having a Wide portion and a narrow portion, a fulcrum for pivotally supporting said lever from the Wide part thereof, a platter support pivotally mounted on the wide portion of said lever at one side of said base, a pendulum connected to said lever overbalanced by said lever and arranged to descend as the weight is applied to the platter, an inverted fan chart having its lower portion of said lever, means for supporting said pendulum with its axis of rotation above said chart, an index pointer rotatable with said pendulum about said axis over the face of said chart, and a platter received on said platter support in position adjacent and overlying the lower edge of said chart.

2. A computing scale of the character described 92 which is fastened comprising a base, a weighted lever mounted on said base, a platter support pivotally mounted on said lever at one side of said base, a pendulum connected to said lever overbalanced by said lever and arranged to descend as the weight is applied to the platter, en inverted fan chart having its lower part extending in overlapping relation with respect to the weighted portion of said lever, means for supporting said pendulum with its axis of rotation above said chart and in position to swing in overlapping relation with the upper part of said chart con-lining the pendulum to a relatively narrow space adjacent the top of said chart, an index pointer rotatable with said pendulum about seid axis over the ace of said chart, a unitary housing having an open lower side receivable over said scale and upon said base for enclosingthe scale mechanism, said housing having a narrow upwardly extending portion closelsT enclosing said pendulum and its said supporting means and having a low laterally extending portion at one end thereof enclosing said platter support, and a platter adapted to be received on said platter support at said one end of the scale '1n closely overlying relation to said housing and within the vertical limits of said chart.

3. A computing scale oi the character described comprising a base, a weighted iever mounted on said base, a pendulum connected to said lever, an inverted -fan chart having its lower part overlapping said lever and readable upon the outer side thereof, means 'for supporting said pendulum with its axis oi rotation above said chart, an index pointer rotatable with said pendulum about said axis over the face oi said chart, a platter support pivotally mounted on said lever and being formed with an arm extending upwardly end laterally therefrom to a position adjacent and above said pendulum axis, a short check link connected to said arm above said axis and extending in compact relation on opposite sides of the axis of said pendulum, and a deshpot connected at an intermediate point to said to damp the oscillations of the scale mechanism.

il. ian scale ci the character described comprising a base, a weighted lever mounted on said base, a platter support pivotally mounted on said lever, a pen-dui connected to said lever overbalanced by said lever and arranged to descend as the weight is applied to the platter, an inverted ian chart having its lower part overlappirncr said lever and readable upon the outer side thereof, means for supporting said pendulum with its axis of rotation above said chart, an index pointer rotatable with said pendulum about said axis over the face of said chart, a platter support pivotally mounted on seid lever and being formed with an arm extending upwardly and laterally therefrom to a position adjacent the upper part of said chart, a dashpot connected to an intermediate portion or said arm for damping the oscillations thereof and oi said lever, and a single housing element having an open lower side receivable over said scale and upon said base completely enclosing and closely confining said scale mechanism and said dash- 5. A fan type scale of the character described comprising a base, a weighted lever mounted on said base, an inverted fan chart the lower portion of which closely approaches' said base at one side thereof and extends below said lever in overlapping relation therewith, a pendulum, means for supporting said pendulum with its axis of rotation above said chart in compact relation with the upper part of said chart providing weighing mechanism which is relatively narrow at the upper portion thereof, a platter support at the other side of said base adapted to receive and support a platter above said base, a unitary housing having a closed and relatively narrow upper portion and being open on its bottom side and adapted to be received over said chart and lever for entirely en closing and closely confining the same and having a cross section which does not decrease from the upper portion to the bottom side thereof providing for direct application and removal oi said housing, said housing having an opening for receiving said platter support, said housing on the side adjacent said platter extending below said platter and in nested relation therewith.

6. A fan type scale of the character described comprising a base, a weighted lever mounted on said base, an inverted fan chart the lower portion of which closely approaches said base at one side thereof and extends below said lever in overlapping relation therewith, a pendulum, means for supporting said pendulum with its axis of rotation above said chart and in compact relation therewith providingweighing mechanism which is relatively narrow at its upper portion, a platter support at the other side of said base adapted to support a platter above said base, a relatively narrow unitary housing receivable over and enclosing said chart and lever and having an edge portion thereof extending adjacent and in nested relation with respect to said platter and having an opening for receiving said platter support, the housing having a cross section which does not decrease from the upper to the lower side thereof providing for direct application and removal thereof in closely coniinine relation with respect to said chart and said weighing mechanism,

DAVID A. MEEKER. KENNETH C. ALLEN. 

